Circuit controller



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E. F. HATHAWAY ET AL CIRCUIT c'oNTnoLLER Filed Oct. 25, 1934 l Feb. 4, 1936.

Prasad rst. 4, me I UNITED STATE-samsn sagr'. msm. warum,- n'm walter sul,

Dorchester.

spniiusnom 25.1934, sum N. 'uamv ll Claims. `(Cl- 20C-47) Our present linvention relates to circuit making and breaking devices and more particularly aims to provide an improved circuit-controller or limit-switch adapted variably to determine the operating period of an electric motor in accordance with the movement of a driven part and/or predeterminedly and adjustably to limit the travel of electrically driven devices. l

In the drawing illustrating by way of example one embodiment of our invention, y

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a controller or switch and its housing, with the cover plate removed;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section, looking down, substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

; Fig. 3 is a cross-section substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking from right to left, and with the cover plate in position; and

Figa! and 5 are sectional view s, with outer parts omitted for clearness, looking from left to y right upon the lines 4 4 and 5 5 of Fig. 3

respectively.

As illustrated, the device as a whole is compactly arranged and is adapted for ready mounting in operative position at a desired point of use.

5 The switch mechanism accordingly is contained in a suitable box or housing@ including a rear wall-1 and enclosing side walls 8 together with a removable cover plate 9, Fig. 3. Attaching or mounting means such as the feet 9* may be provided on the housing.

In the form shown the switch is associated with a rotary part or driven element III. The latter may be an integral part of or an extension of the rotor of an electric motor, or may be any rol6 tatively driven element in a train of mechanism associated with or drivenby an electric motor whose operating period is to be controlled, or it may be driven from a source independent of the circuit or circuits to be controlled. i0 This rotary driven element lli, hereinafter referred to as the shaft, projects into the housing through a suitable bearing II on the rear wall, and in the illustrated embodiment is also journaled at its front end in a bearing I2 on the cover l plate. Between said bearings there is keyed on the shaft III an eccentric I3 surrounding which .is a bushing I4, preferably of the so-called oilless type. Associated with the shaft and its eccentric are one or more sets or units of operating parts. depending on the number of circuits to be controlled. In the present instance, two such sets of elements are illustrated. They areshown as oppositely disposed, but otherwise may be dupllcates of each other, one set accordingly being designated by the use of an exponent character a" atiixed to the same reference numeral used for the corresponding part of the other set.

0n the eccentric bushing I4, loosely, are. op- 4positely disposed gears I5, I5', each having prooo ting at its outer face a pair of diametrically opposite pins Il.l Thesepinsarereceivedincor- I respondin'gly arranged radial slots I1 in plates or cross heads Il. I3'L forming elements of coupling means in the nature of an Oldham coupling.

-The plates Il, Illhave two other opposed radial l slots ,19, spaced ninety degrees from the rst slots and receiving pins20, 2l* on cams 2l, 2il loosely mounted on the shaft I0. f v

Surrounding each of the gears Il. lil is a ring gear 22, 22* having an internal series of teeth 10 23. 23* and an external tooth series 24. 24. 'Ihese ring gears are held ln place. laterally. between the adjacent plate Il and a spacer 25 positioned between the gears I5, I5* and loose on the hubs of the latter.- The ring gears 22, 22l'are also u held in position.lin their respective planes, by

circumferential positioning shoes or lugs 23, 23,

engaging the outer faces of a plurality of teeth of the external series of each of the ring gears,

at angularly spaced points about the latter, and .o

permitting them to be turned for adjusting purposes when desired. In the illustrated example a third positioning element or shoe 21 is seen at the lowerside wall of the housing, Figs. 1. 3 and 4. The ring gears are heid normally stationary, g5

each by worm 40, 40, to be referred to later.

Each of the cam members 2l, 2l* has a raised v portion 28. 28* for cooperation with cam rolls 23,

29* mounted in yokes 30. Inf on spring contact strips 3 I 3i'. 'I'he latter are supported at one of 30 their ends on a bracket 32 on an insulating strip 33' carried by a wall of the switch box or housing 6. At the opposite or free ends or the spring strips 3i, 3i'L are the movable contact points 3i, 35, Figs. l and 2, adapted to make and break a6 contact .with underlying points 436, 36 carried by contact brackets 31, 31* on the insulating strip 33 or otherwise mounted on but insulated from the switch box.

The two pairs of contact points 35. 36 and 33. 40 36* are adapted to be placed in and to control the making or breaking of a like number of circuits. The two circuits may have one common lead 38 connected to the bracket 32 and through it to the contact strip 3i, the other strip 3|* 45 being insulated from the bracket, as indicated at 32, A removable connector 34 and binding posts 34* may be supplied for cross-connecting the two strips 3| and 3|* with the common lead 33. Or two wholly independent circuits may be accommodated. by removing the connector 34 and connecting two separate leads one to the bracket 32 as illustrated (or to the binding post 34 for the strip 3 I) and the other to the binding post 34 for the strip 3I. The switch as illustrated is 55 particularly adapted for controlling the forward and reverse circuits of an electric motor. to determine its operating period in each direction.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 4. it will beseenthatthegear llihasapitchdiameterlessw said surrounding internal series.

l As

thanthatofthe surroundings-ing the illustrated example the gear Il has thirty-four teeth,

of twenty-four pitch. while the surrounding inter-nal series 2l contains thirty-six teeth, of similarpitch,thetwoseriesbeingadaptedtomesh in the manner illustrated.

before noted. the ring gear Il normally is stationaryby the'worm 4l. Assuming now hel thattheshaft|lisrotatedclckwise,inthedi rection of the inner arrow on Fig. 4, the ec.

centric Il is bodily revolved or gyrated in the lssamedirection. Thegearilatsuchtimeis Nthegearll engagesitat caused to rotate on its own axis. around the center of the eccentric Il. but in a direction reverse to that of the eccentric movement. due to the fact that the ring gear 22 is held stationary while progressively shifting points. This reverse rotation of the gear II is at a substantially reduced rate as compared with that of the shaft il, the ratio illustrated being approximately one to seventeen. 'I'his rotary motion of the gear Il is communicated through the pin and slotted-plate coupling means Il to 2l, and at the same rate. to the cam 2|. Engagement of the raised portion 2l of the cam b eneath the corresponding cam roll 2l raises the spring contact strip 3| and breaks the circuit between the corresponding movable and xed contact points I5, 3l. It will be understood that the operation in connection with the other gear set, cam, roll and contact'points is similar.

In accordance with our invention, means is provided for angularly varying the position of the cams Il, I I* with respect to their point of engagement with the cam rolls and also herein with respect to the shaft Il. and said means herein may be operated at any time, either while the shaft Il is in motion or while it is stationary. For this purpose each of the ring gears 22 and 22l has an external series of teeth 24 previously mentioned. These teeth may be-variously proportioned, there being fty four teeth, of twenty-four pitch in the example as illustrated. Each ring gear has in mesh with its external teeth one of the worms M, i respectively, referred to before in connection with their function of normally keeping the ring gears stationary. These worms are located at any convenient point about the gears. 'I'hey are supported on adjusting shafts Il, 4|* projecting outwardly through bearings l2, I2' in a wall of the housing, and are held in place, axially, as by collars 43, I3. Outside the housing, the adjusting shafts have manipulating portions Il, s which may be provided with knurled heads l5, for convenience in turning ,them to effect a desired adjustment, Spring lock washers l1, 41* or otherretaining means such as a ball detent may be provided for holding the heads or knobs I5, 45l at the desired setting,

It will be seenv that by turning a worm I0 or ll, in one or the opposite direction, a corresponding rotation of the associated ring gear 22 or 22l is eil'ected, whereby the cooperating gear Il, I5* is rotated on its own axis, in a. corresponding direction and to a proportionate extent. This angular variation in position is communicated in like measure to the corresponding cam 2| or 2I. Thus, depending merely on the extent to which a worm is turned, the point of engagement of the raised portion 2B or 28of the corresponding cam with its roll, and hence the time of interruption of the circuit controlled thereby, may be thenumberinl varient wm. netnummer-variation bethroughanydesiredincrementhowevergreai Vor small. including extremely fine incremental adjustments, in either direction and at any irrespective of the operative status oi' the shafi Il and the controlled motor.

If desired, an index and scale calibrated in an! convenient umts may be provided in association with the adjusting members Il, "l, as indicated at ll, 4. Also it is noted that by mahng the same adjustment of both control units. through turning the adjusting members M, l to the same extent, either in the same or in opposite directions, the relative position of the two cams 2| and 2|l may be kept the same, but by making different adjustments through the respective adiusting members the two contact-interrupting cams may be diilerentially adjusted.

It will be apparent that our circuit controller is of wide application in connection with electric motors or parts driven by them. As one general example we mention an instance in which a sheet, web in' strip is normally stored in rolled condition upon a drum or beam, from which it is to be unreeled or run out a desired distance and subsequently returned. By the use of the switch or controller of our invention, in the plural form illustrated, one set of contacts may be employed to predetermine the extent of outward movement of the strip or the like, and the other set to limit and determine its return movement. 'Ihe limits of both movements may be accurately varied and adjusted to any desired extent, either while the movement is in progress or during a stationary condition of the parts, as desired. Obviously the switch may be employed in singlecircuit form, or any plurality of circuits may be controlled, in accordance with the number of cam and eccentric operating units supplied. 'I'he plural-circuit forms are not limited to the use of a common eccentric, or eccentrics of the same size or position. As previously indicated, the driven element or shaft Ill may be a part of or driven from a motor whose circuit is controlled by the switch, or it may be independently actuated, our switch being adapted to make or break any circuit in conformity with the extent of rotation or number of rotations of any rotary element and hence at time intervals proportionate to the speed of the rotary element, the setting of the switch with respect to the position of make or break being universally adjustable to any desired extent and irrespective of the operative status of the rotary element.

Our invention is not limited to the particular embodiment thereof illustrated and described herein, its scope being set forth in the following claims.

We claim:

1. A variable circuit-controlling switch com` prising, in combination, a switch housing, a rotary driven element therein, an eccentric fast on said element, an 'inner gear rotatably mounted on the eccentric, a ring gear surrounding said gear and having an internal seriesv of teeth engageable with said inner gear and also having an external series of teeth, positioning means for the ring gear, a worm meshingwith said external teeth of the ring gear to hold it stationary or adjustably to turn it, a movable contact element in the circuit to be controlled, a rotary cam adapted to controlV said contact to make or break the circuit, positive coupling means between the inner gear and said cam, -and adjusting means to turn said worm thereby to vary the contact-controlling position of the cam.

2. A limiting circuit-controller for electric motors and electrically-operated devices, comprising, in combination, a driven shaft, an eccentric fast on the shaft, a gear rotatable on and bodily movable with the eccentric, means compeiling the gear to rotate reversely on its own axis during its bodily movement with the eccentric. a cam loose on the shaft. positive drive connections between the gear and the cam, a movable contact operatively controlled by the cam, and adjusting means operable upon the gear thereby to vary the position of the cam.

3. A limiting circuit-controller for electric motors and electrically-operated devices, comprising, in combination with a rotary driven element, contacts including a movable contact through which a circuit may be made or broken, a rotary cam for operating the movable contact, said cam being loosely supported on the driven element, driving connections between the driven element and the cam, including an eccentric on the driven element, a rotary member on the eccentric and positive coupling means between said member and the cam. and means associated with said rotary member for varying the angular position of the cam while the parts are either in operation or at rest, thereby to advance or retard the operation of the movable contact.

4. A limiting circuit-controller for electric motors and electrically-operated devices, comprising, in combination, a rotary driven element. a rotary cam loose on the driven element. drive connections between the driven elementI and the cam for reversely rotating the latter from the former at a uniform but substantially reduced rate, electriccontact means for actuation by the cam. and adjusting means operable on said drive connections to vary the position of the cam with respect to its point of actuation of said conttact means by increments of any desired exten 5. A limiting circuit-controller for electric motors. and electrically-operated devices, comprisim, in combination, a rotary driven element, a cam proportionately rotated by said element, worm and gear means to v ary the relative angular positions of said element and cam universally within a range of 360 and with the driven element in motion or at rest, and circuit makingand-breaking means controlled by the cam.

6. A variable circuit-controlling switch comprising, in combination. a switch housing adapted for mounting at a point of use, a contact element movable to make'or break the circuit to be controlled. a shaft rotatably supported in the housing and adapted to be driven from outside the latter. a rotary cam for actuating said contact element, positive drive connections including reduction gearing between the shaft and the cam. gear means associated with said drive connections tor angularly adjusting the position of the shaft and the cam relatively to each other and irrespective of the operative status of the shaft, all said parts beingoperativeiy positioned within said housing. and operating means for said adjusting means operatively accessible outside the housing.

'L A variable circuit-controlling switch comprising, in combination, a switch housing adapted for mounting at a point of use, a contact element movable to make or break the circuit to be controlled, a shaft rotatably supported in the housing and adapted to be driven from outside the latter, a rotary cam for actuating said contact element, positive drive connections including reduction gearing between the shaft and the cam. gear means associated with said drive connections for angularly adjusting the position of the shaft and the cam relatively to each other and irrespectiveof the operative status of the shaft, all said parts being operatively positioned within said housing, and said adjusting means being readily operable to effect said adjustment while the driven element is in normal motion.

8. A variable circuit-controlling switch comprising, in combination, a switch housing, a rotary driven element therein, an eccentric fast on said element, a gyratory gear rotatable on the eccentric, an internally toothed ring gear surrounding and meshing with the gyratory gear, supporting means for the ring gear, a movable contact element in the circuit to be controlled. a rotary cam to operate said contact, positive coupling means between the gyratory gear and said cam, and means engageable with the ring gear to hold it stationary or adjustably to turn it.

9. A variable circuit-controlling switch comprising, in combination, a switch housing. a rotary driven element therein, an eccentric fast on said element, a gyratory gear rotatable on the eccentric, an internally toothed ring gear surrounding and meshing with the gyratory gear, supporting means for the ring gear, a movable contact element in the circuit to be controlled, a rotary cam to operate said contact, positive coupling means between the gyratory gear and said cam, and means to hold the ring gear stationary thereby to effect rotation of the gyratory gear upon its own 10. A limiting circuit-controller for electric motors and electrically-operated devices, comprising, in combination with a rotary element adapted to be driven in one and the opposite directions, a plurality of movable contacts controlling a like number of circuits. rotary cams. one for each contact, loosely supported on the driven element, eccentrica fast on the driven element, one for each cam, a rotary member on each eccentric, positive coupling means between each rotary member and the corresponding cam, and means for causing each rotary member to turn on its eccentric reversely to the direction in which the driven element is being driven thereby to rotate its cam to operate the corresponding contact. said cams being independently shiftable angularly with respect to the driven element to vary their contact operating times.

1l. A variable circuit-controlling switch comprising, in combination, a switch housing. a rotary driven element therein, an eccentric fast on said ment, a bearing on the eccentric. a gyratory member rotatable on said bearing. a rotary cam coaxial with and loosely carried by the driven element. a movable contact operable by the cam. meansto cause said gyratorymembertorotate on its own axis, and coupling means between the gyratory member and the cam whereby the latter is rotated in unison with the gyratory member.

EDGAR l". HA'I'HAWAY. WALTER. B123?. 

